Higher wholesale beef supports cattle prices

For the week ending May 2, western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier.

The heifer discount to steers continues to narrow.

Steady buying interest from Ontario set the price structure in the eastern Prairie regions, while cattle west of Yorkton, Sask., flowed to major lots in Alberta.

Stocker operators shopping for grassers are having a hard time securing ownership due to the intense competition. Comments from the trade suggest that backgrounding lots that are usually empty over the summer are now running at 50 to 60 per cent capacity.

Compared to past years, it appears that finishing lots are placing larger volumes of lightweight calves in custom lots to secure yearling supplies in the fall.

At the St Rose Auction in Manitoba, a small package of Charolais cross steers weighing 948 pounds traded for $388.

At the Ponoka, Alta., sale, a smaller package of Charolais steers weighing 890 lb. dropped the gavel at $405. At the same sale, black mixed steers averaging 850 lb. on silage and limited rolled barley ration with full health records sold for $414.

In Lloydminster, larger frame Simmental heifers carrying lighter butter evaluated at 850 lb. were last bid at $389.